Feminine hygienic pad

ABSTRACT

A feminine hygienic pad having a configuration for locating the same in the area of the female urethral meatus for absorbing urine and the like, as an incident to stress incontinence, together with dimensional parameters which may be of an order to locate the pad in the area of the vaginal orifice for absorbing vaginal secretions or discharges; or, to extend such pad so as to receive and absorb discharges from both the meatus and the vaginal orifice.

2,629,381 2/1953 2,652,056 9/1953 2,662,527 12/1953 Jacks 128/290 Rlimited tates aterrt 191 3" l irsclrrnan [54] FEMHNKNE HYGIENIC PAD [76]Inventor: Shale Hirschrnan, 110-11 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, N.Y.11375 [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 68,301

[52] US. Cl ..l28/285, 128/295 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 13/20 [58] Field ofSearch ..l28/285, 290, 295

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,328,795 9/1943 Pinks128/290 R [451 Apr. re, 1973 2,682,875 7/1954 Brown 128/290 R 2,917,04912/1959 Delaney ..l28/285 3,097,648 7/1963 Dupuis 128/290 R PrimaryExaminer-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Philip G. Hilbert 7 1 ABSTRACT Afeminine hygienic pad having a configuration for locating the same inthe area of the female urethral meatus for absorbing urine and the like,as an incident to stress incontinence, together with dimensionalparameters which may be of an order to locate the pad in the area of thevaginal orifice for absorbing vaginal secretions or discharges; or, toextend such pad so as to receive and absorb discharges from both themeatus and the vaginal orifice.

5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures FEMININE HYGIENIC PAD BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Stress incontinence, involving the loss of urine uponsneezing, laughing, jumping, running and other activities, is a commonphenomenonin women. Although the urinary exudation may be in smallamounts, it may be hygienically and emotionally distressing. Thisdisorder becomes more common with an increasing number of pregnancies.

Thus, the loss of even small amounts of urine from the urethral meatusmay give rise to a pungent and abhorrent odor, accompanied by a feelingof wetness. In addition to a condition of tissue laxity surrounding theurethra and with a relatively short urethra in some women, many diseasesmay lead to stress incontinence. Urethritis, cystitis, venerealdiseases, pelvic inflammatory conditions, diabetes mellitus,neurological disorders affecting the bladder, and rectal or vaginalsurgery, in many instances may give rise to a condition of stressincontinence.

Aside from stress incontinence, other exudations may be encountered.These may include vaginal secretions, secretions derived from Skenes andBartholins glands, from the sweat glands of the vulva, and the like.Such secretions and exudations may mix to produce disagreeable odors andmay be accompanied by a feeling of wetness. This phenomenon becomes morepronounced in the case of a woman having a vaginal discharge due toinfection, venereal disease, post-surgery, post-pregnancy, and for sometime following menstruation.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improvedabsorbent pad construction, particularly adapted to be located inopposed relation to the urethral meatus of women, to receive and absorburine discharges due to stress incontinence, as well as otherexudations, secretions, discharges and the like emanat' ing from theadjacent physiological areas.

A further object of this invention is to provide an absorbent pad of thecharacter described, which is adapted to be inserted between the labiamajora so as to be readily retained in place without the need forauxiliary retaining means; the pad being adapted to receive and absorblimited amounts of urine, exudates, secretions and discharges.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved absorbent padwhich lends itself to a ready association with the female perinealpelvic area; does not disturb the normal anatomy of the indicated area;is non-irritating; is hypoallergenic; is readily inserted and easilyremoved; and is emotionally acceptable by women.

It is understood that the pads of the instant invention are notcatamenial devices, since they are not intended to receive a bloodymenstrual discharge. Also, such pads are not adapted to receive severeand copious discharges of urine due to general incontinence, asdistinguished from stress incontinence; or substantial vaginaldischarges.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of thefeminine urethral and adjacent areas, showing a pad of the instantinvention being inserted in place;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing another form of thepad adapted to cover mainly the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing a pad adapted tocover both the urethral meatus and the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the pad in place;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. I, the urethra is indicated at11, extending from the bladder 12. The uterus is indicated at 13 and thelabia majora are shown at 14. The pad 10, of the instant invention, isshown in place, received between the labia majora l4 and thus coveringthe urethral meatus which is the external orifice of urethra 11 and fromwhich urine is ejected.

The pad 10 is formed of soft, flexible, non-shredding highly absorbent,but non-swelling material, such as thin cellulose sheeting in roll form.The pad 10 exhibits a cross section made up of an anterior portion 15which merges with a posterior portion 16; the former being of reduceddimensions as compared to that of the latter. Thus, the portions 15, 16are of arcuate, part circular section; the portion 15 having a smallerradial dimension then that of portion 16.

It has been found that pad Ml, readily lends itself to insertion betweenthe labia majora M; and further, the pad is easily retained therebetweenwithout the need for auxiliary retaining means. Thus, a light pressureon the posterior portion 16 will cause the smaller anterior portion 15to force the labia majora to open slightly and allow pad 10 to take itsproper position, overlying the meatus of urethra ll. The radii of therespective portions 115, 16 are relatively small, allowing the vulva tobe completely enclosing in respect to pad 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the invention takes theform of pad WA. Here the merged portions 15A, 16A are of part ellipticalcross section; the portion 16A having major and minor axes somewhatlarger then those of portion 15A. Pad 10A also lends itself to easyinsertion and removal.

The pad 10B, shown in FIG. 8, is of elliptical cross section. Here themajor axis of the cross section extends between the anterior portion 15Band posterior portion 163; thus indicating the mode of insertion.

While the pad 10 may be of uniform cross section throughout its length,as indicated in FIG. Q; the pad 10 provided with a trailing string T7 toallow for easy removal thereof; may also have a tapered form, as shownin FIG. Ill. Here the forward end portion 18 includes a part sphericalhead surface 19, which tapers rearwardly to the end portion 20. Thestring 17 extends from end 20, preferably; although it may also extendfrom the forward end surface 19.

It is understood that pads A and 105, may also be of either uniformcross section along the length thereof; or tapered from end to end, asindicated in FIG. 10. Thus, with the tapered forms of the pads, thetapered end portion thereof fits near the anterior portion of the vulvanear the clitoris, while the larger body portion thereof fits in thelarger mid-and posterior portions of the vulva, to thereby more closelyconform to the anatomical areas involved.

The pads 10, 10A and NB may be dimensioned in respect to their length,to be particularly adapted to cover the urethral meatus primarily, asshown in FIG. 1; to cover the vaginal orifice 21, as shown in FIG. 2; orto cover the meatus of the urethra 11 and vaginal orifice 21, as shownin FIG. 3.

The pads 10, 10A, or 10B may be impregnated with selected scents,medications, or combinations thereof to thereby mask the odor of theabsorbed urine or other discharges, thereby providing a soothing andpleasant odor to the general physiological areas concerned.

Further, pad 10 may be modified to carry and dispense lubricants aloneor in admixture with deodorants, medications and the like. To this end,as shown in FIG. 11, pad 10 may be formed with a V shaped groove 22extending along the top of pad portion 15. Such groove 22 is prefilledwith lubricant 23 or other carrier for admixed medications, deodorantsand the like. It will be apparent that in inserting such pad 10 inplace, the normal transverse constriction of the pad portion will act todispense material 23 which has a suitable viscosity and is thus appliedto the physiological areas concerned.

It has been found that the curvilinear surface portions and thenon-uniform cross sections of the several pads shown herein, is highlyeffective in locating the same between the labia majora and retainingthe same in place. Further, there is no tendency to force the labiamajora apart or to exert undue pressure against their medial wallportions.

It is understood that the pads 10, 10A, 108 may be molded or otherwiseformed from the cellulosic base material, to the desired cross sectionaland longitudinal configurations, by apparatus and procedures known inthe art.

I claim:

1. An elongated absorbent pad for receiving small amounts of urinedischarged due to stress incontinence and other vaginal and urethraldischarges, said pad being devoid of corners and fiat surfacesintermediate its ends and having two superposed portions, each beingcurvilinear in cross section with the upper portion having a radiussmaller than the radius of the lower portion, said pad being adapted tobe located between the labia majora and labia minora, the smaller radiusportion facilitating insertion between the labia and retention in theinterlabia space.

2. A pad as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the superposed portionsis of part elliptical cross section, the major axis of the upper portionbeing less than that of the lower portion.

3. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad cross section is uniform alongthe length thereof.

4. A pad as 1n claim 1, wherein said pad is formed with a groove in asurface portion of the upper portion thereof, said groove extendingalong the length of said pad, and a viscous material disposed in saidgroove for dispensing therefrom upon transverse constriction of said padduring the insertion thereof between the labia majora.

S. A pad as in claim 4, wherein said groove has a transverse dimensionwhich decreases from the outer surface of said pad inwardly thereof.

1. An elongated absorbent pad for receiving small amounts of urinedischarged due to stress incontinence and other vaginal and urethraldischarges, said pad being devoid of corners and flat surfacesintermediate its ends and having two superposed portions, each beingcurvilinear in cross section with the upper portion having a radiussmaller than the radius of the lower portion, said pad being adapted tobe located between the labia majora and labia minora, the smaller radiusportion facilitating insertion between the labia and retention in theinterlabia space.
 2. A pad as defined in claim 1 wherein each of thesuperposed portions is of part elliptical cross section, the major axisof the upper portion being less than that of the lower portion.
 3. A padas in claim 1, wherein said pad cross section is uniform along thelength thereof.
 4. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad is formed witha groove in a surface portion of the upper portion thereof, said grooveextending along the length of said pad, and a viscous material disposedin said groove for dispensing therefrom upon transverse constriction ofsaid pad during the insertion thereof between the labia majora.
 5. A padas in claim 4, wherein said groove has a transverse dimension whichdecreases from the outer surface of said pad inwardly thereof.